Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Daily Light - January 25, 2011

Daily Light from the Lighthouse40 Days of Faith

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God

than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin..."

Hebrews 11:25

Suffering is a choice! How does that statement grab you right off the top? When someone speaks of suffering, there is a part of us that tends to cringe and shy away from the thought. Who in their right mind would choose to suffer? If you study the Word of God and history, you will find that those who were used most mightily by God down through the years were people that suffered for Christ's sake. A deeper look into their lives will show you that they chose that life.Understand, this does not mean that we go around actively seeking to be persecuted. These people did not antagonize others and manipulate their circumstances so that they could feel the sting of suffering. No, each one of them made a choice to follow the Almighty and that choice brought some type of affliction into their lives. The Apostle Paul confirmed this when he said, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." This choice to follow Christ is not for the faint-hearted or the weak-minded. There will be most definitely be a great price to pay for those who choose to follow the Lord, but they will never be alone. Paul knew loneliness in this world, so he prayed for and desired the fellowship found in Christ's suffering.Moses could have stayed behind in the palace and enjoyed all of its pleasures, but he knew that by doing that he was neglecting the will of Jehovah God. He chose to spend the next 80 years wandering in a wilderness and being constantly questioned and insulted by those whom he was to lead. Why give up the "good life"? That good life is temporary. Sin is a passing pleasure that endures but for a season. When it is finished, it has the penalty of death attached to it. Suffering for Christ only lasts for a season as well. When it is finished, there is eternal life and the knowledge of the power of His resurrection. Which will you choose: suffering-life or sin-death?May you make a wise choice today!

About Me

I am a Christian saved by the grace of God. I am also privileged to be the pastor the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Brunswick, Georgia. I am married to the most beautiful lady in the world, Susan. She is the Godliest individual that I know and a true hero in the faith for me. She is without a doubt my best friend. We have four children: Julianna, Dianna, Michael, and Jordan. They are each special in their own way. We are a family that truly desires to please God. He has put a great burden in our heart for world-wide missions, and we are excited about the opportunities that God has afforded us to travel to different countries to be involved in the ministries there.